CANDIDATE PACK 2020
THEME 4: COMMISSIONING AND PARTNERSHIPS Police and Crime Commissioners have responsibilities in relation to the commissioning of services and working in partnership to reduce offending and support victims of crime and disorder in the local area.
COMMISSIONING A successful commissioning plan, will lead to the delivery of the PCC’s local priorities through a process that manages the supply of services and support, understands and builds the network of services, and does what works and what might work. Funding for commissioning comes from both national and local sources, each with their own conditions on what the funding can be used for. This can include diversion/intervention, crime prevention, community safety, protecting vulnerable people, and supporting victims of crime and antisocial behaviour, based on a public health approach. The commissioning budget is used either to award contracts or grants.
GRANTS Grants offer flexibility with increased opportunity for pilot projects and innovation. Grants may attract smaller providers who might not be in a position to deliver a larger contract, or who may not have the confidence to form a consortium of providers. Small providers may be well established within communities and have excellent local knowledge (as may some larger providers). Grant rounds have enabled local voluntary organisations to grow and deliver needed local services. The team work with providers to support them through feedback and performance management to achieve the best possible delivery.
CONTRACTS Contracts are awarded on a longer term basis and are often larger. They are for core activities that require stable and sustainable funding over time. In this way efficiency in contractual relations and diversity in the range and nature of providers that work with the PCC can be ensured. Examples of current contracts include:
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• Sexual Crime - The Frankie Worker service provides counselling for children and young people up to the age of 18 who are/were victims of rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault or FGM. The service includes a play therapy worker to support those aged 0-5 years, as this age group have particularly complex needs. Frankie Workers offer specialist counselling at an early stage to prevent trauma developing into poor mental health. The service, which has been developed in partnership with the NHS, has been in operation since April 2017. An Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service provides tailored emotional and practical support to victims and survivors of sexual violence, irrespective of whether they have reported to the Police. ISVA support varies from case-to-case, dependent on the needs of each individual. If reporting to the police, the ISVA will provide support from initial reporting, through the Criminal Justice Process and beyond. An ISVA may also provide information on other services that may be required, such as health and social care, housing or benefits.